ALLEN PARK -- When fans saw the Detroit Lions wearing black practice pants at training camp, they took it a step too far thinking it was a sign of a third black uniform this season.

"I bet they did,'' Calvin Johnson said with a smile. "(Fans want it) because it looks sweet.''

A third black uniform is not in the plans according to team president Tom Lewand.

Laundry woes led to the black practice pants. Lewand said the silver practice pants with the stripe down the side were tougher to keep clean and nice-looking. Nike makes these generic black practice pants, so it all made sense.

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Lewand is aware that the players would love a third black uniform.

"I want it. We wore it my rookie year, but not since then,'' Johnson said.

Nate Burleson, the team fashion plate, is on the bandwagon too.

"I guarantee this, if we come out in some black unis, we are going to blow out whoever we play because that is Intimidation 101, black on black on black,'' Burleson said,

The wide receiver said there was a rumor a few years ago about black uniforms.

"I mentioned it to the equipment people. I'm going to have a heart-to-heart with (Jim) Schwartz, maybe send him some chocolates, some flowers try to butter him up so he can OK it,'' Burleson said. "I think everybody in the lockerroom would love to do that because it's a sweet look. On top of that we get to keep the jersey and put it in our basements.''

Baker shows D-line some love

Al "Bubba" Baker, one of the anchors of the Lions' Silver Rush in the late 1970s and early 1980s, visited training camp on Tuesday.

First, he admitted he had "man love" for Ndamukong Suh. But it's OK, he said he's told his wife.

Seriously, he likes what he sees in this defensive line. He thinks they can be special and surpass the accomplishments of the Silver Rush.

"Think about Ndamukong being the undertackle like Doug English. Doug English was 255-260, Ndamukong is 305. I look at Ziggy (Ansah) and compare him to myself,'' Baker said. "Talent-wise, it's not even close. We have to see how well they mesh, because it's a commitment, it really is.''

Suh was honored by Baker's praise.

"A lot of people like to talk, a lot of people like to give their opinion, but they've never played the game and never played your position,'' Suh said. "To hear from somebody who's played the position, been in the same trenches, been through those same type of blocks, been cut down the same way, it means a lot to hear those words out of their mouths about you.''

Baker, who went to three Pro Bowls, was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1978 when he had 23 sacks. It's a team record that still stands. Baker is 6-foot-6 and his playing weight was 250.

This and that

Louis Delmas, who is on a limited program for camp, participated in team drills in the second day of full pads. ... Corey Hilliard at right tackle and rookie Larry Warford at right guard took most of the snaps with the first team on Tuesday in a situation that alternates day to day. ... Defensive end Ronnell Lewis, who is sidelined with a non-football injury, has not practiced yet in camp. Only eight practices will be in full pads and he has missed two of them. ... Jason Jones, who missed on Monday with a sore knee, returned on a limited basis. ... Tests on Ron Bartell (shoulder), Jonte Green (hamstring) and Chris Greenwood (hamstring) revealed no serious injuries. Schwartz said they are day to day. ... Former Lions wide receiver Herman Moore visited camp Tuesday. A contingent of coaches from Michigan State also watched practice. ... The players have Wednesday off. Practices on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday are open to the public.